Aquacoustics amigo User manual

amigo
A Navigation Aid for
Recreational SCUBA Divers
Thank you for purchasing the amigo. I trust that you ill find it to be a useful
navigational aid and that, through prudent diving practice, you ill never have cause
to rely on it.
To start using your amigo immediately ( ithout even getting et) go straight to the
Operation and Training sections of this manual starting on page 5. To get full utility
from your amigo please read these instructions in their entirety.
Figure 1. The amigo
( sho n approximately actual size )
Home of the
amigo

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Version 3.3 November 2016
Index
1. Warning .................................................................................. 1
2. Warranty .................................................................................. 1
3. Inventory .................................................................................. 2
4. Environmental Issues..................................................................... 2
5. amigo Care .................................................................................. 3
6. Transportation................................................................................ 3
7. Battery Charging ....................................................................... 3
8. Operation .................................................................................. 5
8.1 Po er On ....................................................................... 5
8.2 Change Channel ............................................................. 6
8.3 Transmit Mode ............................................................ 7
8.4 Receive Mode ............................................................ 8
8.5 Po er Off ....................................................................... 9
8.6 Serial Number Display ................................................. 9
8.7 Search and Rescue (SAR) Mode ...................................... 9
9. Training .................................................................................. 10
10. Dive Application ....................................................................... 10
10.1 Multiple Buddy Pairs............................................................ 12
10.2 Home Navigation ............................................................. 12
10.3 Missing Diver Procedures .................................................. 12
10.4 Mark for Return or Recover ....................................... 13
10.5 Confined Spaces ............................................................. 13
10.6 Night Diving ........................................................................ 13
10.7 Other Applications .............................................................. 13
10.8 Hand Signals ............................................................. 14
11. Maintenance ................................................................................... 14
12. About Your amigo ........................................................................ 15
Tables
1. Technical Data Summary ............................................................. 1
2. Inventory ................................................................................... 2
3. LED Display Modes .;;;;;;;;;;;..................... 6
4. Receive Mode Display ;;;;;;........................................ 8
Figures
1. The amigo ........................................................................... Cover
2. Attaching the Charge Clip ;........................................................ 4
3. Key Features ....................................................................... 5
4. 360 Search .................................................................................. 9

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Table 1. Technical Data Summary
Characteristic Measurement
Effective Range: Greater than 30 m (100'). Typically 100 m
submerged (subject to alignment & conditions).
Weight: 65 g (2.3 oz), approximately neutrally buoyant.
Dimensions: 105 mm x 42 mm x 21 mm (4.1" x 1.6" x 0.8").
Depth: Hermetically sealed and pressure tested to 70 m
(230').
Temperature Range: 0 to 30°C (32 to 86°F).
Environment: Salt or fresh ater and air.
Transmit Frequency: 40 kHz.
Life: More than 15,000 hours dive time (MTBF).
Signal Display: 8 segment LED bar graph ith contrast
enhancing filter.
Battery: Lithium Polymer cell providing approximately 50
hours dive time bet een charges.
Battery Charger: Universal AC mains and/or USB charger.
1. Warning
Your amigo is an under ater navigational aid. It is not a life-safety device.
Al ays dive ith a buddy and endeavour to maintain contact in accordance
ith recreational SCUBA diving recommendations.
2. Warranty
Your amigo has been hermetically sealed and pressure-tested to a depth of
70 m (230') and thoroughly operationally tested before dispatch. Your amigo
is arranted for hard are or soft are malfunction for a period of one year
from the date of purchase. The extent of this arranty is limited to
replacement or return-to-base repair at the discretion of the manufacturer.
Due to the adventurous nature of SCUBA diving this arranty specifically
excludes physical damage. The arranty also excludes unauthorised
modifications and/or unauthorized servicing.
Use of the amigo aivers any claim for consequential damages including loss
or damage to equipment or property, or personal injury or death.
In the unlikely event that your amigo malfunctions, if you are dissatisfied ith
any aspect of your amigo’s performance, or you have any comments or
suggestions then please contact http:// .aquacoustics.biz.

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3. Inventory
Your amigo package is provided ith the inventory listed in Table 2.
Table 2. Inventory
Quantity Description
2 amigo’s
2 Attachment Loops
1 Universal AC and/or USB Charger
1 Quick Reference Card
1 Instruction Manual (this manual)
1 Warranty Card
4. Environmental Issues
The lo po er transmissions from your amigo are comparable to many
naturally occurring under ater ultrasonic sound sources and are significantly
less than many boat mounted sonar and fish-finders. Your amigo has no
kno n adverse effects on marine flora or fauna.
Your amigo has been tested to identify if its transmissions present any
specific attraction to apex predators (sharks). The tests indicated no specific
reaction. Ho ever you are encouraged to treat all marine life ith respect.
In the event of any unusual threatening behaviour be prepared to descend
( ithin dive limits) and move cautiously a ay from the threat.
Your amigo is made from RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
components to minimize environmental impact. Ho ever the battery, case
and other components are not readily biodegradable. Recycling or disposal at
the end of service life should be in accordance ith sound environmental
practice and any legal requirements that might apply in your jurisdiction.
All of your dive equipment is a potential source of contamination hen moving
bet een dive sites. Ensure that your equipment, including your amigo, is
thoroughly cleaned ith fresh ater bet een dives at different geographical
locations.

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5. amigo Care
Thoroughly rinse your amigo ith fresh ater after each dive day.
Avoid leaving your amigo in direct sunlight or exposed to other sources of
excessive heat for extended periods.
Recharge your amigo before and after extended storage.
Do not apply solvents or lubricants to the case.
Your amigo has been designed to resist impact damage but the case may be
scratched by contact ith hard materials. Light scratches can be removed by
gentle polishing ith a non-solvent based metal polish or toothpaste and a
soft cloth. Avoid applying polish to the gold electrodes.
6. Transportation
Transportation of Lithium batteries are subject to specific IATA regulations.
The Lithium battery in your amigo has been tested to ensure that under dead-
short circuit conditions it ill not result in ignition. Ho ever it is the user's
responsibility to comply ith any regulations concerning the transportation of
Lithium batteries.
Ultrasonic emissions from your amigo ill not interfere ith aircraft navigation
systems. Ho ever electronic devices may be subject to usage restrictions
during flight.
Your amigo has been tested to ensure no adverse effect from short-term
exposure to soft X Rays (typically found in airport security).
7. Battery Charging
Do not attempt to charge you amigo hile it is et. Do not use the AC or USB
charger in et environments. Only use the equipment provided for
recharging.
Your amigo is provided ith a universal AC and/or a USB charger. Slide the
plug into the moulded socket on your amigo as sho n in Figure 2. Connect
the charger to an appropriate mains or 500 mA USB source. Charging ill
begin automatically. The LED display ill indicate charging status as sho n
in Table 3.

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A full charge from a depleted battery ill take approximately t o hours. Your
amigo ill indicate hen it is fully charged.
The charging plug can be removed at any time by ithdra ing it along the
axis of the po er cord. Your amigo ill automatically turn off.
If the battery in your amigo should become fully discharged the internal
charge management automatically provides a recovery cycle. The charging
display may not operate during deep discharge recovery. Normal charging
should resume ithin approximately 30 minutes.
The internal battery is protected from over-charge, over-discharge and
excessive temperature.
A universal DC charger is available as an optional accessory for charging
from a vehicle or boat electrical system. Please enquire at
http:// .aquacoustics.biz.
Figure 2. Attaching the Charging Plug

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8. Operation
Your amigo is designed to ork in transmit/receive pairs. Work through the
follo ing instructions (in air) to become familiar ith the operation of your
amigo. Refer to Figure 3 to identify key features.
Each amigo has a single Mode Button on the side of the case for changing
operating modes. The Mode Button is designed for either left or right-handed
use.
8.1 Po er On
Briefly depress the Mode Button once to turn on your amigo. All eight Light
Emitting Diodes (LEDs) ill turn on for a one second display test follo ed by a
battery condition and channel number display (refer to Table 3).
Figure 3. Key Features
Transducer
Mode Button
LED Display
Strap
Attachment
Charger Socket
& Electrodes
Rubber Grip

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The bottom red and top green LEDs ill indicate the channel. The central
three LEDs ill indicate battery condition.
If the battery is depleted (after about 50 hours of diving) your amigo ill
display t o central red LEDs and the channel before automatically turning off
after 30 seconds. This feature has been incorporated to ensure that your
amigo ill have sufficient po er to operate reliably throughout your dive and
to prevent deep-discharge of the battery. A depleted battery can be avoided
by recharging at the earliest opportunity hen a marginal battery condition is
indicated.
Table 3. LED Display Modes
LED Display Mode
Lamp test (maintained for 1 second on po er-on) follo ed by
battery condition display.
Battery condition is good. Red (default) channel.
Battery condition marginal. Recharge at the earliest opportunity.
Green (alternative) channel.
Battery is depleted. Green (alternative) channel. Range and
functionality may be adversely affected. The unit ill turn off.
Transmitting.
Receiving, no signal. Refer to Table 4 for receive display.
Charging (rising LED display).
Fully charged.
Error. Refer to Maintenance in Section 11.
Star indicates Flashing LED at approximately 1 second intervals.
8.2 Changing Channel
Ensure that both units are set to the same channel before commencing your
dive.
The channel can be changed by depressing the Mode Button five times at
about one second intervals during the battery condition display. This long key
sequence makes it virtually impossible to accidently change channel.

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8.3 Transmit Mode
From the battery display briefly depress the Mode Button once to activate
transmit mode. This is the default mode for diving. If transmit mode is not
activated ithin 30 seconds your amigo ill automatically shut do n.
In transmit mode the upper green LED ill flash approximately every second
as sho n in Table 3. A unit ill stay in transmit mode until receive mode is
activated, it is turned off, or it automatically turns off after 90 minutes out of
the ater.

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8.4 Receive Mode
Briefly depress the Mode Button once to activate receive mode. The LED
display ill indicate received signal strength as sho n in Table 5. The signal
strength is indicative of both direction and range.
Table 4. Receive Mode Display
LED Display Received Signal
No signal (flashing red LED at 2
second intervals).
Very eak.
Weak signal.
Poor.
Moderate.
Good.
Strong.
Very strong.
Maximum.
More LEDs lit equates to increasing received signal strength. Each LED in
the bar-graph display corresponds to approximately 1/8
th
of the distance to a
transmitter.
Each unit ill remain in receive mode for 5 minutes before it automatically
s itches back to transmit mode. This safety feature ensures that each unit
ill change to transmit mode if it has been inadvertently placed in receive or
should a diver be unable to operate it. If you are actively searching in receive
mode the 5 minute timeout is a useful reminder to check your remaining air,
depth and decompression limit. Briefly depress the Mode Button to return to
receive mode.
Briefly depress the Mode Button once at any time to s ap bet een transmit
and receive modes.

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8.5 Po er Off
Turn your amigo off by depressing the Mode Button three times at
approximately one second intervals (just like typing the same letter three
times hen text messaging on a cell phone). The LEDs ill go through a
Cylon display sequence indicating that your amigo is shutting do n.
Your amigo ill automatically turn off after 90 minutes of inactivity if it is out of
ater. This design feature is intended to preserve battery life if a unit is
inadvertently left on after a dive. If submerged your amigo ill remain on until
it is manually turned off or the batteries are exhausted (approximately 50
hours from full charge).
8.6 Serial Number Display
Press the Mode Button once during the Cylon turn-off display. The LEDs ill
indicate the lo est binary digits of your amigo’s individual serial number.
Your amigo ill automatically turn off after 30 seconds.
8.7 Search and Rescue (SAR) Mode
A diver has not returned and you have no idea hat channel their amigo as
on. Turn your amigo on (one press of the Mode Button) and depress the
Mode Button three more times at approximately one second intervals during
the lamp test display. This ill initiate Search and Rescue (SAR) Mode.
In this mode there is no marine noise suppression or automatic gain control.
Your amigo ill continuously display the maximum received signal strength at
the highest available gain. It is recommended that you have trained using this
mode to interpret the LED display. In high marine noise environments you
can expect to see several LEDs lit continuously ith brief pulses every fe
seconds.
Make sure that other amigo’s (and any boat sonar) are either off, or are also
in SAR Mode - this permits a number of search teams to use amigo’s. Move
to the last kno n location of the missing diver. Then slo ly complete a 360
search looking for a consistent maximum LED display.
In SAR Mode your amigo ill not time out - it ill stay in this mode until the
batteries are depleted. Press the Mode Button three times at approximately
one second intervals to turn your amigo off.

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9. Training
You can use your amigo in air ith no risk of damage although the range ill
be significantly reduced hen compared ith operation under ater.
Place one amigo in transmit and the other
in receive on the same channel. Have
someone hide the transmitter ithin about
15 m (50’). Slo ly complete a 360° turn
(360 search) and then move in the
direction of strongest received signal to
find the transmitter. Alternatively move in
the direction opposite to the eakest
received signal. Observe the effects of
intervening objects and reflections from
alls, the ceiling and the floor on the
displayed signal strength. Note that
placing your body bet een the transmitter
and receiver ill significantly reduce the
received signal strength. These attributes
of your amigo ill also be prevalent under
ater. Understanding them in air ill
assist in locating your dive buddy
under ater.
Figure 3. 360 Search
10. Dive Application
On a typical dive you ill simply check the charge and channel of your amigo,
put it in transmit, attach it to your BCD and complete your planned dive.
During your pre-dive buddy-check turn on both amigo’s, check the battery
condition is good and that both units are on the same channel. Then put both
units in transmit mode by pressing the Mode Button.
Attach your amigo to a BCD chest D Ring using the attachment loop provided.
Each unit is approximately neutrally buoyant and streamlined to minimize
drag. On a submerged horizontally s imming diver the amigo should angle
slightly do n ard pointing to ards the diver's fins. This position gives
optimal transmitter/receiver alignment if your buddy is s imming a ay from
you and can provide desirable transmission signal scatter.
It is recommended that you do not place your amigo in a BCD pocket, eight
belt pouch or catch bag. This may reduce transmission range and you might
end up separated from your amigo hen you need it most.

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If both units are in transmit or receive at the same time then buddy location
ill clearly not be possible. It is recommended that the more experienced (or
confident) diver in a buddy pair should limit their use of receive mode to about
1 minute in any 5 (enough time for t o 360 searches). The other diver may
s itch bet een transmit and receive mode at any time.
Dive your dive plan.
At any time during the dive press the Mode Button on your amigo to change
to receive mode. With your body positioned vertically in the ater, complete a
slo 360 search to find the direction of maximum received signal strength.
Then tilt your amigo up and do n, again looking for maximum received signal.
If no signal is found then slo ly ascend a fe metres and repeat the 360
search.
If you have not been able to locate your buddy's signal after approximately
1 minute then follo recommended dive practice and commence a controlled
SAFE
1
accent hile continuing to search for your buddy's signal.
If, for any reason, you are unable to move during your dive then firstly try and
remain calm, breathe, think and act. Your amigo ill al ays revert to transmit
mode to assist searchers.
At recreational dive depths ultrasonic aves can be expected to travel in
straight lines like light from a lamp. If there is an object bet een a transmitter
and receiver then the signal ill be reduced. By ascending slo ly during a
search you remove potential obstructions from the signal path hile also
placing yourself closer to the surface.
Ultrasonic aves can reflect from the seafloor, solid objects and the surface.
They can also bend at changes in ater temperature (refraction at
thermoclines). Under some conditions this may cause multiple signal peaks
from apparently different directions. If this occurs then use your amigo to
identify the direction of minimum signal and move in the opposite direction.
Alternatively follo either of the signal peaks to the source - you should
eventually end up ith your buddy.
Reflected signals may also cause localised signal fade. Move or ascend a
fe metres (10') and try another 360 search.
Your amigo has been specifically designed to minimize the effects of marine
noise using real-time Digital Signal Processing (DSP). During field trials the
amigo has been subject to operational validation in kno n high marine noise
environments. Ho ever, under some circumstances strong extraneous
signals may impair signal reception.
1
SAFE - Slowly Ascend From Every Dive

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If you become separated from your buddy on any dive and you receive strong
signals from every direction then it is possible that boat sonar, fish finders,
extreme ave action or marine animal noise are masking the received signal.
Commence a controlled SAFE
1
accent hile continuing to search for your
buddy's signal.
At the completion of your dive turn your amigo off by depressing the Mode
Button 3 times at approximately 1 second intervals. Look for the Cylon
display to confirm that your unit has been turned off. If your amigo is out of
the ater it ill automatically turn off after 90 minutes of inactivity.
10.1 Multiple Buddy Pairs
Your amigo cannot differentiate bet een transmission signals of other units
on the same channel. If there are a number of diver-pairs using the amigo
then you and your buddy might ant to determine hat channel other divers
are using and change your channel before you start your dive.
If there are many units operating on the same channel and you become
separated from your buddy then head for the strongest received signal. This
ill put you in contact ith other divers and enhance the group's transmitted
signal for your missing buddy to follo .
10.2 Home Navigation
If an amigo is suspended belo a boat or dive-flag float this can act as a
homing signal. Place your unit in receive mode and complete a 360 search to
identify the direction and approximate range of home. Used in conjunction
ith a compass, your amigo should see you complete your dive at the anchor
chain or dive float on every dive.
10.3 Missing Diver Procedures
Your amigo may assist in the location of a missing diver. Ho ever it is an
adjunct to, not a replacement for, the missing diver procedures advocated by
your professional dive organisation. The best place to start searching for a
missing diver is their last kno n location.
Ensure that all other amigo’s are turned off. Put your amigo into receive
mode on the appropriate channel. (If the channel is not kno n s itch to SAR
Mode as described in Section 8.7 on page 9). Hold your amigo under the
surface and slo ly complete a 360 search looking for a received signal.

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Attempt to validate any received signal by looking for surface bubbles in the
direction of strongest signal. If a signal is received then a qualified diver
search team ith adequate no-decompression time and air may use an amigo
in receive mode to locate the missing diver directly.
If no signal is received then continue to implement your missing diver
procedures. Remember that an amigo placed in receive mode ill revert to
transmit after 5 minutes. Try a further 360 search after a fe minutes.
10.4 Mark for Return or Recover
Your amigo can be used to mark an under ater object for subsequent
retrieval or a ay-point to assist ith navigation.
Attach an amigo to a line at least several metres off the object/bottom to
optimize signal transmission. While continuing your dive confirm that the
transmitter is in range from time-to-time and validate the return direction by
compass. Ensure you return ith sufficient air for retrieval and assent ithin
the safety margins recommended by your professional dive organisation.
10.5 Confined or Overhead Spaces
Your amigo can be used in confined or overhead spaces such as recks or
caves although in these environments a transmitted signal can be significantly
influenced by reflections, channelling and attenuation.
Your amigo is not a replacement for the special procedures and training
recommended by your professional dive organisation for diving in confined
spaces or overhead environments.
10.6 Night Diving
Night diving provides an exciting opportunity to observe many marine animals
that are dormant during daylight. It can also present significant challenges to
under ater navigation and maintaining group contact. Your amigo can be a
useful adjunct to the lighting requirements and procedures recommended by
your professional dive organisation. At night or in poor visibility complete any
360 search slo ly to avoid disorientation or vertigo.
10.7 Other Applications
While your amigo has been optimized to keep you in contact ith your dive
buddy it has other uses too. In SAR mode it ill provide you ith information
about marine noise. Areas of relatively high marine noise are usually
associated ith significant marine animal populations and species diversity.

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Games such as hide-and- seek or follo -the-leader can take on ne
dimensions ith the amigo hile providing valuable training and building diver
confidence.
10.8 Hand Signals
It may be necessary to coordinate hether the amigo’s being used on a dive
are place in transmit or receive mode. The follo ing hand signals are
suggested.
Get diver's attention.
Point to amigo.
Point to mouth: Go to transmit mode.
Point to ear: Go to receive mode.
Validate ith the universal OK signal.
It is recommended that you keep your amigo on, and remain on your
designated channel throughout your dive. While it is possible to turn your
amigo off, change channel or turn on SAR mode hile diving, these mode
changes are not recommended.
11. Maintenance
There are no user-serviceable parts in your amigo and the case has been
factory-sealed and pressure tested to prevent ater ingress. Your amigo
generates internal voltages greater than 50 Volts RMS. These potentials may
present a shock hazard if the case is opened.
Revie the operating instructions in Section 8 starting on page 5.
Ensure that the gold electrodes are not obstructed. They can be cleaned by
gently iping ith a plain paper tissue or cloth. Do not use abrasives or
solvents on the electrodes.
Confirm that your amigo is fully charged and that both units are set to the
same channel.
Your amigo has been designed to identify hard are or soft are fault
conditions. Should your amigo cease to function or sho an unusual display
(refer to Table 3) then leave it for at least 5 minutes before completing a
recharge cycle. If this fails to correct the problem then you amigo requires
servicing. Please contact http:// .aquacoustics.biz.

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12. About Your amigo
The six year development of your amigo is described at
http:// .aquacoustics.biz
Your amigo comprises a compact lo -po er ultrasonic transceiver using a
highly selective receiver ith Digital Signal Processing (DSP). It is capable of
discriminating bet een extended range transmission signals belo marine
noise thresholds. Operation, timing, channel control, DSP and battery
management are controlled by a microprocessor running optimized
proprietary soft are. Your amigo has been subjected to extensive field trials
and testing to ensure reliable and effective operation.
Every amigo contains an individual serial number in the micro-code and
records details such as operating time in non-volatile memory. These
measurements are intended to aid ith servicing and arranty claims.
Your amigo contains proprietary hard are and soft are hich is subject to
copyright and patent protection. The soft are in your amigo is protected to
prevent erasure or attempted reverse-engineering. Any attempt to read or
modify the soft are is likely to render your amigo-crew unserviceable.
We ould like to kno if you have found your amigo useful. Ho can e
make the amigo better for you? Do you consider that it has been good value
for money? Have you found a ne ay to use your amigo?
Please contact me http:// .aquacoustics.biz ith any comments,
suggestions or criticisms that you might care to share. We ill respond to
your enquiry.
Sincerely yours,
Tim O'Brien
Director
Aquacoustics Limited